The Punishers

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Week 5: Redskins 23, Eagles 17

The Redskins overcome an early two-touchdown deficit to extend their winning streak to four games, rallying for a 23-17 win over the Eagles in Philadelphia.

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But Zorn has flair, loves to dare and decided to get cute. He called a tricky play with motion, misdirection and people running everywhere. The whole mess exploded in a busted play, forcing Campbell to throw the ball away.

"Goofball play. I paid the price. I was flustered a little and had to call timeout to compose myself," Zorn muttered in the Redskins' locker room.

For so many years that it is painful to recall, the Redskins have often used such mistakes, such moments of lost poise, to become passive and turn victory into defeat. Zorn, at such times, seems to actually relish the danger.

Faced with a game-on-the-line decision, "punt 'em back or go for it" on fourth and two, Zorn waved his offense back on to the field and called the formation.

But he didn't call the play!

"Clinton called the play," Zorn said.

Portis called his own number -- a draw out of the shotgun -- and plowed through five defenders for four yards, a first down, three take-a-knees and the Redskins' fourth straight victory.

"A huge, huge play. He willed his way for the first down," Zorn said. "It was his grit and our offensive line's grit that did it." Just like they did all day.

The Redskins have not repealed the turnover. It's a law in the NFL. Shaun Suisham, with seven straight field goals, including 41, 48 and 50 yarders in this game, won't always be perfect. Zorn's fourth-down fourth-quarter gambles (he also converted against the Saints, then ran out the clock) will not always work. And injuries can't simply be ignored, even though the defense stuffed Philly without three starters.

But for now, a team that was turned upside down in January when Joe Gibbs unexpectedly retired, has found -- or at least started to form -- a new identity at rare speed.

"We put ourselves in a great spot," said Cooley, who had eight catches for 109 yards. "Our goal has always been to win our division and continue on."

That now appears conceivable, though the Giants, who controlled the Redskins in their opener, are still unbeaten. "We're a very battle-tested football team from what we went through in our last four games last season," linebacker London Fletcher said of the playoff run last December.